Will see what reception I get: Anand after 2nd title

After the grand reception for India’s Twenty20 cricket champions was questioned by Asia Cup’s hockey heroes...

After the grand reception for India’s Twenty20 cricket champions was questioned by Asia Cup’s hockey heroes, Vishwanathan Anand has now said “it would be interesting” to see how the country receives him as he returns from Mexico as a two-time World Chess Champion at the end of this month.

At the tournament in Mexico City on Saturday, Anand ended his nearly seven-year wait to reclaim the world title with an undefeated run. This dazzling achievement was coupled with the Indian ace crossing the magic ELO rating of 2800 for the second time in his career and continuing his top ranking for the third time in succession since climbing up the FIDE charts in April this year.

Admitting that he had heard about the welcome party organised for the World Cup winning cricketers, the 37-year-old said he was sure that when he got back home, at least his chess friends would be there to receive him.

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“Yes, I heard about it (the welcome given to the cricket team). It would be interesting to see what kind of reception I get when I come to India by the end of this month (October),” Anand told PTI over phone from Mexico.

He added: “Here (in Mexico) everyone understood the importance of this event.”

The first undisputed world champion since Garry Kasparov, who parted ways with FIDE in 1993, Anand said he was relieved after accomplishing the feat.

“Being the undisputed world champion is a relief. Since last year the feud was resolved in chess and we instituted a unified chess title, I am the absolute world champion,” Anand said after his superb show of four victories and 10 draws.